Call to make environment part of syllabus
Sunday, January 27, 2008
BRUNEI'S contribution to climate change and global warming can be curbed if there are policies in place to make environmental education a must for all and to enforce legislation that limits the country's greenhouse gas emission.
These and related matters came under discussion yesterday during an Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) forum on climate change and policy implications.
The gathering, open to public, saw the three invited speakers — Dr Azhar Sulaiman, Dr Dulima Jali and Dr Irene Teh Cheong Poh Ai — and the audience exchanging views on whether Brunei's government and its people are doing enough to live and develop sustainably.
Among the issues raised by the audience was whether environmental impact assessments (EIA) have been carried out on prospective industries in Brunei, industries which are hoped to boost the economy but may at the same time lead to adverse environmental effects.
This led to the question of transparency on such assessments. While such studies have been made, Dr Dulima noted, they are rarely if ever made available to the public. Thus, transparency and access to such information should be improved, because the findings of the study can allow the public to have a say in whether and how these industries should operate, as members of the public are the ones who will be affected.
Also discussed was the need to balance environmental conservation with economic progress, and whether the environment should take a backseat to allow the economy to flourish.
To address the issue, Dr Irene brought up the concept of sustainable development — development that meets the needs of the present generation while not compromising those of future generations — and the gathering discussed how Brunei can implement the sustainability concept in its development policies.
Among measures suggested yesterday were making utility bills and the use of energy resources more expensive. "The most effective way to get people to change is to make them pay," Dr Irene said.
Meanwhile, Dr Azhar spoke on how educating children on the environment and their role in it can go a long way towards making Brunei an environmentally-conscious and responsible nation.
He noted also that while educating children starting when they are quite young can cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship in them and encourage their family members to do the same, adults too should be appraised of the roles and functions they can play to help curb climate change and global warming.
Yesterday's forum is the first in a series of discussions on various issues.
IPS head Dr Hjh Sainah Hj Saim, who chaired the forum, said that the event served to keep the public up-to-date with and present various viewpoints on the latest issues in Brunei. It was also hoped to create and widen IPS's network with local practitioners and institutions.
The next IPS forum is tentatively set for next month.
The Brunei Times
These and related matters came under discussion yesterday during an Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) forum on climate change and policy implications.
The gathering, open to public, saw the three invited speakers — Dr Azhar Sulaiman, Dr Dulima Jali and Dr Irene Teh Cheong Poh Ai — and the audience exchanging views on whether Brunei's government and its people are doing enough to live and develop sustainably.
Among the issues raised by the audience was whether environmental impact assessments (EIA) have been carried out on prospective industries in Brunei, industries which are hoped to boost the economy but may at the same time lead to adverse environmental effects.
This led to the question of transparency on such assessments. While such studies have been made, Dr Dulima noted, they are rarely if ever made available to the public. Thus, transparency and access to such information should be improved, because the findings of the study can allow the public to have a say in whether and how these industries should operate, as members of the public are the ones who will be affected.
Also discussed was the need to balance environmental conservation with economic progress, and whether the environment should take a backseat to allow the economy to flourish.
To address the issue, Dr Irene brought up the concept of sustainable development — development that meets the needs of the present generation while not compromising those of future generations — and the gathering discussed how Brunei can implement the sustainability concept in its development policies.
Among measures suggested yesterday were making utility bills and the use of energy resources more expensive. "The most effective way to get people to change is to make them pay," Dr Irene said.
Meanwhile, Dr Azhar spoke on how educating children on the environment and their role in it can go a long way towards making Brunei an environmentally-conscious and responsible nation.
He noted also that while educating children starting when they are quite young can cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship in them and encourage their family members to do the same, adults too should be appraised of the roles and functions they can play to help curb climate change and global warming.
Yesterday's forum is the first in a series of discussions on various issues.
IPS head Dr Hjh Sainah Hj Saim, who chaired the forum, said that the event served to keep the public up-to-date with and present various viewpoints on the latest issues in Brunei. It was also hoped to create and widen IPS's network with local practitioners and institutions.
The next IPS forum is tentatively set for next month.
The Brunei Times
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